St. Andrews Soccer Association in search of new field after getting the boot
Youth soccer teams in St. Andrews are getting kicked off their pitches and their association said they have no fields to land on.
Since 2009, the St. Andrews Soccer Association has been allowed to host games for kids at a location in the middle of the St. Andrews Airport. But in March, the airport, which is owned by the RM, said it needs the space to expand, and told the association 2026 would be the last season it could use the fields for soccer and their 320 players.
Association director Adam Praznik called the decision mind-blowing.
'To receive the boot because of politics between the airport and the RM, just not right,' said Praznik.
In a statement, airport Executive Director Zachary Holden said the airport is the ninth busiest in Canada based on movements and it needs the expansion for aviation purposes. He says the area is not zoned for recreation and soccer was always a temporary use.
'The decision was made to delay the development of that area for two years to allow ample time for soccer to find a new home,' said Holden.
Praznik is calling on St. Andrew's council to help them because he claims the RM failed to move ahead with plans to build public soccer fields.
'We need a permanent solution or at the bare minimum, an extension of our airport lease so that we have certainty going into next season that we're not going off a cliff and community soccer will be dying,' said Praznik.
Mayor Joy Sul said there is a solution. A private business is spending more than $4 million on soccer fields nearby and there is a deal in place for public access once they open.
'Council ensured that there is in the lease agreement with them that 20 per cent of the time be allowed for residents of St. Andrews, and we fully support the kids,' said Sul.
Praznik says that's not enough to meet their demands.
'It's also a business, they run programming the same times as us over the same season. You physically can not have two soccer games happening on the same pitches at the same time,' said Praznik.
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